Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1887-08-26
How THE FLAG WAS LOST.

How THE FLAG WAS LOST,
"a Sumter County Confederate Has Story t,
j Tell-A Girls Within.
Americas {Ga.[ Republican. T..
| was irregular soldierin the Confeder
ate army over four years, enjoyed its
triumphs took my part in it's defeats
to heart as much as any one, starved,
suffered, bled, froze and melted, in
winter and summer, under the glorious
cross of the south. with q heart az
full OF devotion as child could have
for a mother, ar devotes to his true
and beneficient Cod. When I first
started out from the loveliest town in
an adjoining state a lovely daughter
OF the city gave me a confederate flag,
| made of silk, with the bars and star:
ry-decorated cross, shining and gleam.
ing with gold and silver threads. 1t
was a pretty thing and I carried it
hid in an inside pocket, for it was not
larger than a gentleman's handker:
chief. I carried it wherever I went,
for I had promised to plant it on the
Washington Monument if l ever got
there.
While Lees army was encamped
near Chambersburg, Pa. ,one June aft
ernoon strolled out with Felix c.,
and about four miles from camp found
a coy retreat in a cottage inhabited
by an elderly lady and q beautiful
girl OF about eighteen years. We got
a good dinner and heard the ladies de.
plore the war, for they had relatives
south with whom they spent the sum-
mer every year until the war broke
out. Now this pleasure was debarred.
While they were talking I went to O.
cool shade and soon fell asleep, and
then Felix, forgetting my presence,
left me. About two hours after l was
awakened by the young girl and some
one talking, and found that a wound
ed federal officer was her companion.
They did not know OF my presence,
and when they ran upon me Twas
pretty much alive; but as the officers
remarked: "EIe was not in service on
account OF q wound received
at Cedar Run. and we could
exchange civilities." We had pretty
good talk and milk and bread where
we were. During the talk I exposed
the flag, which was snatched by the
girl, who exclaimed exultingly, 81
have captured a rebel flag and intend
to keep it." / begged for it. but she
williully shook her head. I told her
it was a present from dear FREUD
named Matte, and that she should
not have it. Then she said: "Well,
rebel, sir! my name is Matte a good
Union girl. have my hands on the
emblem of treason, a traitors flag. and
I'll keep it or die!" and her eyes flash
ed with fire. IL wish were a man."
she said, "that I, too, might fight"
l tried to snatch the flag, but she was
too quick, and the officer said pretty
loudly, Here, Sergeant, bring your
men quick!' and it seemed as if were
surrounded by four or five men in
blue uniforms before I could turn
around. The girl said, "Well, Lieu
tenant, you can keep your prisoner
in the cellar until you and your men
have tea," and led the way. Soon
was locked up alone in
cellar wherein there was no
security, and the girl laughed
as she waved the flag at me.
I knew that I had to get out before.
supper was over, and as I pondered
over my position fear began to
creep over me that I was to suffer a.
long confinement in a Yankee prison.
After an hour or two an inner door
opened and Miss Matte, who had
stolen my flag, stood before me, can
die in hand, saying: II guess, Mr..
Rebel, that you and I can come to
terms. You have no arms and can
trust you. I'll keep your flag, and
for my love OF friends in the South
you shall 20 free. Cousin Robert and
his men are eating"
I went through the house, found
their arms, and taking off the caps,
wet the tubes thoroughly, stole pis.
toll that belonged to the. officer, and
started for the door, while the young
lady was entertaining tile soldiers.
l. ran thirty or forty steps be.
fore they discovered my absence,
when, with a yell; they broke tor.
their arms You can bet there was
no shooting, and I sped onward as
fast as possible. During my race to-
ward camp two Dutch guards halted
me, but, as they were some DISTANCE
off, I replied, l don't understand"
and kept running. The Dutchmen
joined the pursuers, but a detath-
ment of Lomax' s cavalry approached,
and they ran the other way. have
no desire for the return OF that flag
now for it has been south several
times sinno tho war md Mill nora,a